Cotchery, who dropped three passes in the Super Bowl after no drops all season, said this week he would play if he's back with the Panthers. Harper, a two-year starter at safety, has not discussed his future publicly.

Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman added three voidable years on the contracts for Harper and Cotchery when he signed them two years ago to spread out their bonus money and lessen the salary cap hit.

As a result, the Panthers will carry a combined $2.25 million in dead money for Harper and Cotchery on the 2016 books.